I believe it's a good practice to look at all sides of an issue before making a decision. Once a decision is reached, the course of action becomes clearer. It also becomes easier to expend the effort and time needed to make the changes that will result in a positive outcome. A long time ago I sold vacuum cleaners. I learned quickly that it's hard to sell something you don't believe in. We, as educators, need to believe in what we're doing when it comes to the future of our children.
We've seen many education trends come and go through the years. Each trend leaves it's fingerprint on the art of pedagogy. Is the talk about 21st century skills just "a pipe dream whose literature should be tossed in the trash."(Jay Matthews, Washington Post) or is it "a very serious, very real, and incredibly important action initiative that must be examined and processed by every educator because - like it or not - our profession is being redesigned by the nation's need for a workforce that epitomizes the 21st century skills." (Beth Holmes, 21st Centurion)?
Read both articles and make your decision. Our children's future depends on educators who can recognize what is needed for the 21st century.
17 hours ago
OK, my mind is swimming, or trying to swim, with just some of the information I’ve taken in. My first thought is, “some people are just so SMART! How do they come up with that stuff?” But then, that doesn’t really answer the question.
ReplyDeleteSo, with which side do I agree? I really don’t think we can afford to do less than agree with Beth. The 21st century is here no matter what we entitle the skill set required to be productive world-citizens. No matter whether, as Jay Matthews asserts, there is little guidance for educators, it’s “hard to put into practice”, some teachers won’t get onboard, and that poor schools will be left behind ( and these are all debatable), those of us that have a vision of where the future is heading must strive to make 21st Century skills a priority in our realm of influence. We must be that critical mass of support.
Beth’s itemized list of various warning calls to educators over the past 26 years was stunning! I remember those studies! But I don’t think I ever felt the need for reform as deeply as I do now. I don’t think I ever quite “got” that if we, as a nation, don’t rise to the challenge of educating our students for the work force of the future, we are, in effect, willingly handing jobs over to nations that read the signs and moved to meet the needs. We feel frustration when we call tech support and can’t understand the person speaking on the other end, but whose fault is that, REALLY?
So let’s get on with it. Let’s work on teaching kids how to synthesize, cooperate, collaborate, synthesize and communicate using the technology we have available.
I too, until recently, have never realized how critical it is that we begin to reform education. The first step to education reform is to recognize a there is a problem that needs to be addressed. We can’t continue to prepare students for 19th and 20th century jobs when our children will have jobs that don’t exist today. If we do a good job of teaching for today’s jobs, they won’t be prepared for the demands of the rapidly changing 21st century economy. To be successful in the 21st century students will need to know how to collaborate, analyze, evaluate, and create. They will need to learn how to learn new skills and unlearn some old skills.
ReplyDeleteWe can begin taking steps towards 21st century
teaching/learning by examining and developing our lessons based on curriculum
standards in the light of Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy,
AdvancEd, and the Partnership for 21st
Century Skill Framework.
I just finished reading the blog post by Beth Holmes and reflecting on my own preparation for 21st Century Learning. My final paper required for a masters degree in education was typed on a manual typewriter. I knew nothing of a computer until 1993 and now I am experimenting with several different web tools. I am continually amazed at my primary aged students and how proficient some of them are with technology. (I just stopped to visit with my own son who just informed me that he wants to major in wireless engineering, a new degree being offered in the college he hopes to transfer to. How timely.)
ReplyDeleteIt has become imperative that we as educators seek change in our classrooms. These young minds that we are blessed to encounter deserve the best we have to give. They must be prepared for the challenging world they face. As the US strives to get our economy functioning again we must all do our part. We must teach our students to problem solve and work together. What better way than to use the modes of learning that fully engage their minds?
Where do we begin? With the desire and something my first grade teacher taught me "Just do it."
One day as we pioneers of 21st Century Learning move on those that follow will improve upon our efforts and our schools will close the GAP between what is needed and what is actually being done.
I truly believe our teachers have the desire learn how to reach our 21st century children. I like what you said about "just do it" It's kind of scary when we leave a known successful strategy and attempt something so new and different. I think of myself at a swimming pool. I know the water is cold. Do I slowly wade in and adjust to the change or do I dive in. I prefer to dive in. Some people like to dip their toes in first. Whatever your style "just do it".
ReplyDeleteWow! Lots of information to take in. If you teach long enough you will learn and implement many new programs that are sold as the best thing ever. Some so good they will teach themselves. I think this is what Jay Matthews was thinking when he said 21st century learning is another 'doomed pedagogical fad'.
ReplyDeleteThen you read Beth Holmes as she gives a history lesson.
1983--basic knowledge of computers
1991--solid foundation in basic literacy
1996--technologically literate
2001--computer literate by 8th grade
2002--you know this list of skills
2007--compete academically, capacity to innovate
Beth gives us so much to think about. As she was asking Ben each time if educators had accomplished the task I was glad to be on her side. Or glad to have her on my side.
I like the final thoughts Ben had in his response to Beth. "Action is the obvious next step..." So, I will dip my toes in and meet you in the pool as we move forward together. Rhonda
I am an adult that needs to learn each da
I love the comments.As a seasoned educator I am amazed that we are at this level of educating our children-where it causes even the educators to truly THINK! I know this is a wonderful thing. I am also amazed at how much my pre-k children can absorb. They are becoming true thinkers and problem-solvers. We are all evolving as I dip my toes in the pool!!Debbie
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. I believe it is part of our job to prepare students for this fast-changing future. The ability to articulate and solve problems, to generate original ideas, and to work collaboratively across cultural boundaries is growing exponentially in importance. The challenge for our school is to find ways to shift from traditional rote learning and teach these skills, while still doing due diligence to the three R's (read, write, and math). The good news about 21st-century skills is that they can be integrated into core subjects. We were long taught to cover content first and wait for children to get older before having them apply it, but now research shows that "people learn best by learning content at the same time they are acquiring [and applying] new skills."
ReplyDeleteNot being a classroom teacher, I do not get the opportunity to witness how the different advances in technology has been introduced and utilized in the classroom. I know for myself, it is all overwhelming at times. However, I do agree with Beth Holmes that if we do not do something about catching up with the World, we will definitely be "Left Behind". I see this when I talk with my son who is teaching in Japan and see how far advanced they are compared to the U.S. As Anita said, I am, " just doing it", a little at a time. Or, at least I am trying.
ReplyDeleteMr. Matthew's approach is one that many use as a defense tactic. It is the ole sit back and this will go away type of strategy. Our children must be taught in a manner that will make them creative, competitive and competent citizens. We need to be the leaders of the world and at this moment while we are stuck in neutral; other countries are flying by.
ReplyDeleteAs we lead our children into higher levels of critical thinking, Beth uses the term to "construct knowledge." I like that! Do we all feel a little overwhelmed as we try to catch up? Yes, and I'm a little embarrassed that I am not as aware of all of this as I should be. BUT I am learning so much and am going in with my eyes wide open now!
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